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Detrivore

Key Stage 3

Meaning

A detrivore is an animal eats dead plant and animal tissue.

About Detrivores

Detrivores are part of the process of rotting which turns dead plant and animal material into soil.

There are some detrivores that you may know:

  • Maggots
  • Earthworms
  • Woodlice

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Detrivores are organisms which consume decaying organisms.

About Detrivores

Detrivores consume decaying flesh and produce waste which adds to the soil.
Detrivores are different from decomposers in that they consume decaying organisms while decomposers are causing the decay.

References

OCR

Detritivores, page 144, Gateway GCSE Biology, Oxford, OCR